"Because you have kept my word about patient endurance, I will keep you from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world, to try those who dwell on the earth."
Revelation 3:10 ESV
For you have need of patient endurance [to bear up under difficult circumstances without compromising], so that when you have carried out the will of God, you may receive and enjoy to the full what is promised. [Amplified version]
--- Hebrews 10:36
The
"hour of trial"
in
Revelation 3:10
is the wrath of God, not suffering. God does not always prevent our suffering.
In fact, the Lord told us as followers of Jesus, we can expect persecution, especially in the end times.
Moreover, God tells us we are actually blessed and should rejoice in suffering for our faith.
Those who think otherwise do not know their Bible nor do they understand the ways of God.
EXPECT SUFFERING:
"Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,"
--- 2 Timothy 3:12
"For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake,"
--- Philippians 1:29
BLESSED IN SUFFERING:
"Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."
--- Matthew 5:10
REJOICE IN SUFFERING:
"Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance,
--- Romans 5:3
ENDURANCE PRODUCED BY SUFFERING:
"Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope,"
--- Romans 5:3-4
(1 Peter 4:12-14, Luke 6:22, 1 Peter 3:14, John 15:18)
In the end times, God told us what to expect:
"Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life." --- Revelation 2:10
Our mission in the end times, is not only to believe in Him but if necessary to suffer for His sake:
"For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake," --- Philippians 1:29
And as we suffer for Christ, He imputs into us needed ENDURANCE:
"And you will be hated by all for my name's sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved."
--- Matthew 10:22
PATIENT ENDURANCE is probably one of the most overlooked necessary attributes as we enter the end times.
And as seen by the six Revelation passages, it is an end time attribute of
great importance.
(Revelation 1:9, Revelation 2:2, Revelation 2:19, Revelation 3:10, Revelation 13:10, Revelation 14:12)
Patient endurance is the capacity to bear up and remain firm in the face of difficulty or persecution without wavering or compromising your beliefs and without losing hope.
When people can endure their trials with patience, hope, and joy, they can find spiritual strength and joy even in the midst of ongoing struggles.
Instead of patient endurance, some Bible versions use perseverance, steadfastness, or simply patience.
Patient endurance helps us finish the race
(Hebrews 12:1)
and receive what God has promised.
(Hebrews 10:36)
Moreover, God uses endurance to produce spiritual maturity, strength of character, and unshakeable hope.
And suffering with patient endurance becomes a witness of your testimony to others.
Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.
The saying is trustworthy, for:
If we have died with him, we will also live with him;
if we endure, we will also reign with him;
if we deny him, he also will deny us;
if we are faithless, he remains faithful—
for he cannot deny himself.
--- 2 Timothy 2:12
We must endure and not turn back from following Jesus.
Many will fall away and turn back in the end times.
As many as two-thirds of all believers will walk away from the faith in the end times at the Great Apostasy, also called rebellon or falling away.
Turning back is NOT an option in the last days.
We must not grow weary or fearful of speaking the gospel.
We Must Endure
"I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus."
--- Philippians 3:14
"Jesus said to him, No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God."
--- Luke 9:62
"and you will be hated by all for my name's sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.
--- Matthew 10:22
In the Bible, patient endurance is illustrated through many lives:
Jesus: Patiently endured the cross and his critics.
Moses: Patiently endured opposition from Pharaoh and even his own people.
David: Patiently endured the consequences of his adultery and murder.
Apostle Paul: Patiently endured beatings, imprisionment, hunger, and more.
Job: Patiently endured loss of family, health, and property.
The book of Revelation encourages people to endure patiently through trials and tribulation.
And in
1 Peter 2:19-20
says that God is pleased when people endure unjust treatment patiently.
This will be all the more true during the last days.
Endurance is not optional
We must have it to be overcomers in the last days
The Promises of Overcoming:
"To him who overcomes, I will grant to eat of the tree of life which is in the Paradise of God." --- Revelation 2:7 NASB
"He who overcomes will not be hurt by the second death." --- Revelation 2:11 NASB
"To him who overcomes, to him I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, and a new name written on the stone which no one knows but he who receives it." --- Revelation 2:17 NASB
"He who overcomes, and he who keeps My deeds until the end, to him I will give authority over the nations;" --- Revelation 2:26 NASB
"He who overcomes will thus be clothed in white garments; and I will not erase his name from the book of life, and I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels." --- Revelation 3:5 NASB
"He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he will not go out from it anymore; and I will write on him the name of My God, and the name of the city of My God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God, and My new name." --- Revelation 3:12 NASB
"He who overcomes, I will grant to him to sit down with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne." --- Revelation 3:21 NASB
"He who overcomes will inherit these things, and I will be his God and he will be My son." --- Revelation 21:7 NASB
How Do We Get Endurance:
Throughout Scripture we learn God uses trials, difficulty, and hardship to produce endurance. These trials are also referred to as "tests", "tribulations', and "temptations."
Truly, God's way is not our way.
"Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing."
--- James 1:2-4 NASB
"Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope,"
--- Romans 5:3-4
And as we endure, we learn to rely on God and God alone for our strength, our daily needs, and provision.
Relying on God is mandatory for navigating the last days.
This is a core understanding.
"Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him."
--- James 1:12 NKJV
"Being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy;"
--- Colossians 1:11
"No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it."
--- 1 Corinthians 10:13
"And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing."
--- James 1:4 NASB
Want more Endurance?
Embrace suffering for Christ!
Live each day as if immortal,
because in Christ Jesus, you are!
"Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,
fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."
--- Hebrews 12:1-2 NASB
It is interesting to note that the Apostle John, who had "patient endurance,"
(Revelation 1:9)
is the only Apostle not martyred.
